The Minister of Tourism, Zita Okaikoi, says she is hoping to create jobs for the unemployed through the promotion of tourism in the country. She was speaking at the opening session of the Ghana International Tourism Forum organised by her ministry in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre. It was on the theme ‘Ghana – Time to Explore; the Role of the Investor in the Tourism Sector’. According to Mrs Okaikoi, the forum is being organised to promote tourism as an activity for job creation and income generation in the country. It will also seek to upscale tourism arrivals which will ultimately promote and encourage public-private participation in the tourism industry, she said. The minister was optimistic that the forum would set the pace for a fruitful and in-depth discussion on the way forward for Ghana’s Tourism Industry. She emphasised that all decisions taken at the forum would be implemented; assuring that specific tourism sites like the Mole Park, Wli Falls would be refurbished while the beaches are raised to the right standard to attract tourists. Information Minister John Akologo Tia urged delegates taking part in the forum to identify potentials in the provision of hotel, construction of cable car facilities along the mountain ranges; development of resorts along the country’s coastlines; as well as the construction to state-of-art shopping malls among others. The 7-day forum would see delegates touring some interesting sites in the country. Source: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana